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Of course, the tax credit is only
applicable on qualifying home improvements. It doesn’t hurt to look at the
lists below to see if your upgrades qualify, especially since the tax credit
could amount to 40% of the install cost.

With the global climate continuously changing, consumers are
seeking alternative energy sources to decrease their carbon footprint and
ecological impact. Aside from going green, consumers are adopting renewable
energy sources like solar power to take advantage of its reduction in carbon
emissions and substantial utility savings.

Adopting alternative energy solutions is not only beneficial
for the environment, but it’s also a brilliant financial investment for the
future. Governments, businesses, and homeowners are rapidly investing in solar
energy, but solar energy isn’t a suitable fit for everyone. To determine if
solar energy is the right fit for your home, consider the following before
making a future investment.

Location –
Solar panels require a lot of natural sunlight in order to function, so if you
happen to live in an area that has dense cloud coverage, solar panels may not
be the wisest decision. To help consumers determine the solar situation of
their specific location, there are plenty of resources online.

Roof Design –
If your home’s roof will need to be replaced within the next 15 years, many
contractors will not install solar panels. Other roof related obstacles that
pose issues include steep pitches, flat roofs, and trees that restrict sun
exposure. The ideal roof for solar panels faces south and is constructed of
composite shingles or concrete tile. Before installation, consult with a solar expert to determine if your roof can
accommodate solar panels.

Your “Green
Living” Status – If you’re currently making eco-friendly choices, then
deciding on solar panels is a step in the right direction. The average SolarCity
solar power system will:

Offset 178 tons of carbon dioxide over 30 years,
that’s equivalent to the amount of fuel it takes to drive 390, 300 miles which
would get you around the equator about 15.7 times.

Conserve so much water used in electricity
production that it could fill 6.7 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Eliminate the need to burn 174,907 pounds of
coal.

Cost – According to the experts at Sunrun, the total
cost of solar installation ranges between $15,000 to $29,000. That that is for
an average sized system between 4kW and 8kW. Luckily state tax breaks and other
government financial incentives are in place to soften the financial blow. Additionally,
companies like SolarCity
and Sunrun offer
financing on products and don’t require a down payment so you can convert your
home without spending a dime upfront. Beyond lucrative financing, government
incentives, and lower utility bills, consumers who implement solar energy
solutions increase the value of their home tremendously. For the average
installation in 2015, solar panels added $20,194 in value to the sale price of
the house based on repeat sales data from Forbes.

Prior to investing in solar panels, it’s important to consider your location, roof design, green living status, and the cost prior to making an investment. By gradually developing simple steps towards decreasing your energy consumption and carbon footprint will help reduce pressure on your wallet, and the environment.